Why is it that everyone always congregates in the kitchen? It's possibly because that's where the refrigerator is, stuffed with snacks and drinks. This once-basic appliance now comes with more styles and options than ever, so if you're in the market for a new fridge, let's look at what's out there.
Types of Refrigerators
There are three basic styles of refrigerators from which to choose:
Freezer on top. By far the most common – and economically priced – type of refrigerator, this standard unit looks exactly like it sounds. You can't go wrong with a basic freezer-on-top model, or as it's known in the trade, a "top mount". The only downside is that you have to bend over to get at items in the fridge.
Freezer on bottom. Gaining in popularity, these refrigerators flip your standard model around so that refrigerator items are at eye level, while you only have to stoop whenever you open the freezer. Freezer-on-bottom models – also known as "bottom mounts" – come with either a single panel door or a French door, which is basically two narrower doors that you open from the middle. For the freezer compartment, you can choose a standard door or a slide out bin.
Side by side. With double doors next to each other for the refrigerator and freezer portions, side-by-side models put both frozen and refrigerated items at eye level. These models offer tend to offer greater storage capacity, more flexibility when it comes to shelving and integrated ice and water dispensers in the door. Side-by-side refrigerators also tend to use more energy than the alternatives.
Key Features
After you've chosen the type of fridge you want, it's time to look at some of the features.
Height and width. The type of refrigerator you choose is often determined by how much space you have available. With sizes that range from 23 to 35 inches wide and 60 to 69 inches tall, freezer-on-top models offer the greatest number of options, particularly when it comes to the smaller end of the scale. Freezer-on-bottom models start at about 29 inches wide with the same heights as their top-freezer brethren. Side-by-side units tend to be much larger, with sizes that start at 31 inches wide and 66 inches tall. Don't let width fool you, though; in cramped quarters, the narrower doors of a side-by-side model may just make it easier to maneuver around open fridges.
Depth. In your refrigerator research, you'll probably encounter the terms "counter depth" or "cabinet depth". This basically means that instead of jutting out past the countertop, the unit is designed to sit flush with it. Although the look is more streamlined, counter depth models are wider to make up the space they're lacking in the back and may not offer as many storage options as you'd like.
Capacity. In addition to dimension, you'll also want to look at capacity, which is measured in cubic feet. Refrigerators range anywhere from 10 cubic feet on the small size to a monstrous 29 cubic feet. To put this in perspective, consider this formula: Get 10 to 12 cubic feet for the first two people in the house and another one to three cubic feet for each additional person. Although it's tempting to get the biggest fridge for your buck, consider your needs carefully: The larger the capacity, the more energy it uses.
Shelving and storage options. All fridges come with basic shelves, inner door compartments (think butter and eggs) and crispers, but springing for adjustable trays and drawers is well worth it. It's also worth getting removable glass or plastic shelving, because they are far easier to clean than your standard wire options. If you're messy, spill proof shelves will contain any leaks, so you don't end up with spilled milk or juice on every shelf.
Multiple temperature controls. Higher end fridges often come with multiple temperature controls, so different bins – meat, for instance – can be chilled to different temperatures. Although this is certainly a nice feature to have if you store a lot of food or can honestly tell when your cilantro has been improperly stored overnight, the additional price may not be worth it.
Water and ice dispensers. Refrigerator buyers tend to be split into two camps: Those who can't imagine life without water and ice available at the push of a button, and those who view these newfangled things as a frivolous waste of money. There's no doubt that this is a convenient feature. Keep in mind, however, that it bumps up not only the cost of your fridge, but also your energy bills. Also, you'll need to have a water line available. If you choose this option, get one with a water filter; otherwise, deposits can build up and cause malfunction.
Automatic icemaker. If you go through a lot of ice but don't want the full ice and water dispenser deal, consider getting an automatic icemaker. It saves the hassle of refilling those pesky trays all the time. Again, you'll need to have a water line available.
Automatic defrost. Remember how old fridges used to get a thick crust of ice in them? We've come a long way since then; automatic defrost, or "frost free" is the norm now, rather than the exception. If you feel an overwhelming urge to attack your fridge with an ice pick once a year or so, by all means get a manual defrost. Otherwise, save yourself the time and trouble by going automatic.
Energy saver switch. This optional switch inside the unit controls whether the heating coil that gets rid of condensation is turned on or off. Turning it off can help conserve electricity if you don't live in a particularly humid area.
How to Choose
Refrigerators start at around $400 (on sale) and can go up to several thousand dollars. Not surprisingly, there are tons of options in there, so how do you make the final decision? The main thing is to decide what kind of fridge you want. Then determine size and capacity. From there, it's down to the specific features and available finishes and colors.
You should also pay close attention to energy use because refrigerators can comprise anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the average home's electricity bill. Even though choosing a fridge that has an Energy Star rating seems like a no-brainer, not all Energy Star fridges are created equal. For instance, freezer-on-top models are held to a more stringent standard than side-by-side refrigerators (and will almost always be more energy efficient).
